News

Today Nikon is announcing its latest additions to the first-party NIKKOR Z lens lineup with the professional 85mm f/1.2 S prime and the pancake 26mm f/2.8. Designed for photo and video professionals, the 85mm f/1.2 S prime lens has been designed to retain crisp details with great bokeh that causes the background to just melt away. Also being announced today is the 26mm f/2.8 pancake lens designed to be your next everyday carry with the length coming in at less than one inch and weight just 125 grams. Both of these lenses are expected to become available in March 2023, and you can keep reading below the fold to learn more about them.

After seeing a collection of new LEGO sets hit the scene at the start of the year, today we’re catching wind of the first double VIP points promotion of 2023. Making for a great chance to get extra cash back on your purchases, the latest of these events will be going live later in the week to cover new releases, upcoming pre-orders, and other must-have kits.

Today we are taking a hands-on look at the new range of Oakywood wooden MagSafe stands and mounts. Coming away impressed with its MagSafe charger, desk shelf, iPhone cases, and more in the past, we thought we would give the brand’s latest wood and metal gear a shot as well. Having just launched in the last few weeks and now available at 15% off for the holidays, now’s as good a time as any to feature the wooden MagSafe stands from the brand in our Tested with 9to5Toys feature.

Today, Twelve South is refreshing one of its more unique Mac accessories for Apple’s latest desktop monitor. The Studio Display first hit the scene last spring, and now one of 9to5Toys’ favorite accessories the company makes is being updated: the signature Backpack stand for the premium Mac companion.

Today, SwitchBot’s latest smart Blind Tilt conversion kit is available for purchase on Amazon. Ready to make your traditional tilt blinds smart? This kit is battery-powered and even comes with a solar panel for easy installation without having to run a bunch of wires. Sound like something you’d be interested in? Keep reading for more information.

Microsoft has now unveiled a new Xbox controller known as the Stellar Shift Special Edition. Microsoft took to the official Xbox Wire today to announce the latest entry in the Shift Special Edition series with a new shimmering blue-purple paint job to sit alongside the Aqua Shift and Lunar Shift two-tone models that were released last year. Now available for purchase, be sure to head below for more details. 

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• Save $79 on Apple’s 10.2-inch iPad and score an all-time low of $250
• Amazon clears out Samsung Galaxy S22 5G with $170 discount to second-best price of $680
• ecobee’s new Smart Thermostat Enhanced uses HomeKit to heat your space at $160 (Save $30)

Rumors have been surfacing all over the net about the next Nintendo Direct and details have now officially been confirmed! Most supposed leaks pointed at the next Nintendo Direct hitting sometime this week and we now officially know it is. Nintendo has taken to its official Twitter feed to announce its next online Switch game showcase and we are now just over 24 hours away. Head below for more details. 

After a teaser earlier in the week, today we’re getting an official look at the all-new LEGO Lord of the Rings Rivendell set. Stacking up to over 6,000 pieces, this massive display-worthy creation officially reboots the brick-built world of J. R. R. Tolkien complete with tons of intricate details, 10 minifigures, and so much more. Launching on March 6, we breakdown everything you need to know about the new set $500 set below.

EarFun has always been a top pick when it comes to feature-packed budget earbuds. Its latest, EarFun Air Pro 3, packs Bluetooth 5.3 and app control. With ANC, wireless charging, and nine hours of playtime, the feature list is extensive for the $80 price point. 

JBL just announced the new Pulse 5 speaker, a refreshed version of the brand’s flashiest way to listen to music. Much like its predecessors, this portable offering pairs battery-powered playback with integrated LED lights for a unique design that sets the JBL Pulse 5 apart from other speakers on the market.

Originally announced back in August of last year and slated for release in Q4 of 2022, the first OLED gaming monitor from Samsung is now finally available for pre-order. Coming in at $1,500, the Odyssey OLED G8 from Samsung actually comes in at a bit higher than the similarly specced Alienware model. But is Samsung’s OLED ultrawide worth the extra cost? Let’s take a closer look below.

The official launch of PlayStation VR2 is just a couple weeks away now. After years of leaks, news announcements, and the like, the next-generation of Sony’s virtual reality experience is officially on the horizon. Back in January Sony dished up all the details on the launch game lineup alongside the reveal of 13 new titles, and today it has taken to the official PlayStation Blog to essentially roundup everything you need to know about PS VR2 ahead of this month’s release. Head below for more details. 

Update: LEGO has officially revealed the new Lord of the Rings Rivendell set, which stacks up to 6,167 pieces and will be launching for VIP members on March 5. Go get the official details right here.

Today, the LEGO Group has taken to its official Twitter account to tease an upcoming set that fans have long been waiting for. Marking the return of the actual Lord of the Rings theme, the magical sanctuary Rivendell will be getting the brick-built treatment for only the second time ever.

Last month, Wyze announced three brand-new cameras – the Cam OG, Cam OG Telephoto, and Cam Pan v3. While the OGs are a more affordable return to the basics, the Cam Pan v3 is a complete upgrade over the v2. Be sure to hit the video below to see them in action. 

If you’re like our own resident sim racer Jordan, then having an at-home setup is something that’s likely on your list. Sure, you can race with just a single monitor (or a super UltraWide), and standard racing wheels are just fine too. But, hardcore racing fans know that the best setups are much more complicated than that. So, Monoprice decided to launch a new Dark Matter GT racing simulator line that includes a triple monitor mount and foldable wheel stand, delivering a premium experience at a fraction of what you’d normally pay for a full-on racing setup. Sound intriguing? Keep reading to find out more.

After featuring the latest lineups from CASETiFY, Spigen, Ringke, and the leather Bellroy options, it’s time for the new Caseology Samsung Galaxy S23 cases. Caseology is a brand we have featured around here for quite sometime, including its popular Parallax and Nano Pop cases, and it is now ready to serve up some coverage for Samsung’s latest flagship handsets. All of the cases featured here were made in conjunction with the official Designed for Samsung program and are already seeing some notable launch discounts. More details below.

Are you a fan of Lululemon or know someone that is? Lululemon has a new program called Like New that allows shoppers to trade in gently worn clothing in and exchange them for a credit that you can use on new Lululemon gear. Plus, you can shop all of the gently worn clothing as well for a fantastic price including their best-selling leggings, shorts, t-shirts, and more. The items items are labeled as being “Good As New,” meaning that they have no visible flaws or damage or “Gently Used,” for products that have minor wear but are still in good condition. Below we are sharing our top picks for both men and women that are available to purchase today and you can score free delivery on orders of $125 or more. You will also want to check out our news guide for the latest stories today.

Today Razer is unveiling its latest addition to its lineup of desktop gaming peripherals, the Viper Mini Signature Edition Gaming Mouse. What makes this mouse stand out among the rest in Razer’s lineup is its weight. Coming in at just 49 grams, it is the lightest mouse the company has ever made, and this is thanks to its magnesium alloy construction. Not only is it light, but it has the processing power to provide “industry-leading performance” as well. All of this does come with a price, so make sure you keep reading below the fold to learn more about this new gaming mouse.

In what has to be some of my favorite LEGO news in quite some time, today 9to5Toys can confirm that later this year we will see an expansion to the popular Ninjago City collection. These massive creations have been assembling a modular sci-fi city in much of the same manner that the Icons Buildings do, and now we’re getting a fourth installment in the series that is the lineup’s largest set to date. Enter the Ninjago City Markets launching in June with over 6,100 pieces …

Joining the pre-order price drops and Amazon gift card promotions on Samsung’s latest, it’s time for the brand new Bellroy leather Galaxy S23 cases. We were fans of the brand’s iPhone 14 lineup (and have been for a few years now), despite being somewhat pricey, and it has now brought its eco leather treatment to Samsung’s latest flagship handsets. Now available for purchase directly from the Bellroy site and the official Amazon storefront, you’ll want to head below for more details on the latest leather Galaxy S23 cases from Bellroy. 

SANDMARC has informed us that it is has now launched its brand new iPhone tripod known as the Carbon Edition. Last summer the iPhoneography and travel-focused brand unleashed the pro edition, just before we had a chance to go hands-on with it, but this time the brand has tapped “the lightest and toughest carbon fiber material” to deliver the latest version of its full-size iPhone tripod. Head below for more details, a closer look, and our exclusive discount code.

After detailing the new models from CASETiFY and Spigen yesterday, it’s time to take a look at the affordable Samsung Galaxy S23 cases from Ringke. Samsung’s brand new lineup of flagship handsets were unveiled yesterday with pre-order discounts already going live, and many folks are looking to ensure their new smartphone is protected and looking right for day one. Ringke delivers a series of no-frills covers that start in the $16 range with free shipping for Prime members or in orders over $25. They make for an affordable way to ensure you’re covered until your ideal case surfaces or as an economic option for folks looking to flip their case out on a regular basis. Head below for a closer look at the new affordable Samsung Galaxy S23 cases from Ringke. 

Hot off the release of the new Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphone collection reveal this afternoon, Spigen is getting in on the announcements by showcasing its refreshed lineup of accessories. Arriving for Samsung’s latest, the new case collection comes in six different form-factors to protect the new Galaxy S23 devices.

Today, AMD is announcing an update to its Ryzen 7000 lineup with the introduction of 3D V-Cache SKUs for both Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9 processors. AMD’s 3D V-Cache technology allows you to enjoy additional performance in many of the latest PC games and even helped Ryzen 5000 hold strong in performance metrics when compared to Ryzen 7000’s original launch. Pricing starts at $449 for Ryzen 7000X3D CPUs and availability beings February 28. Sound like something you might be interested in? Keep reading to learn more.

Following today’s Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2023 launch event, the new Galaxy S23 cases from CASETiFY have now surfaced. The brand has become well known over the years for its official crossover campaigns with everything from Star Wars and Street Fighter to Disney and Pokémon, but today’s it’s all about what it calls “the most protective accessory series for Samsung devices on the market.” This includes the latest Ultra Impact Galaxy S23 cases, a brand new clear model, and even some upcoming Galaxy Buds covers. Head below for more details and a closer look at the new CASETiFY Galaxy S23 cases. 

Update 6/21: Nintendo broadcasted a very exciting new Direct presentation today loaded with new game announcements, from the Super Mario RPG remake and the new 2D side-scrolling Super Mario Bros. Wonder game to Detective Pikachu Returns and more. All of those new releases are now up for pre-order and eligible for the Nintendo Switch Online Game Voucher promotion detailed below. That means you can purchase a voucher for $99.99 and score a pair of $60 pre-orders at $20 off – the best deal you’ll find on any of them right now. 

Every day of the week, we track the best deals on Nintendo Switch titles, be it from the eShop, Amazon, or elsewhere. But as any avid Switch gamer will know, price drops on brand new titles are hard to come by, to say the least. We sometimes see early pre-order deals from smaller third-party retailers on select titles and even some early $5 price drops on major releases in the first month or so, but even those discounts are rare at best. This is where the official Switch Online Nintendo vouchers come into play, effectively giving gamers who just don’t want to wait months for a solid price drop on new releases (and even select pre-orders) a chance to land a nice deal. Head below for a closer look and more details.

Today, 9to5Toys can report on what may very well end up being one of the biggest LEGO leaks of all-time. A recent LEGO marketing survey saw the company questioning the viability of some massive display-worthy sets, including a potential UCS Jabba’s Sail Barge, Legend of Zelda Deku Tree, and more.

Today, BISSELL is introducing its all-new CrossWave HydroSteam multi-surface floor cleaner that’s “unlike any other.” It utilizes a 3-in-1 technology that’s “part vacuum, part mop, and part steam cleaner working in unison” to provide the deepest clean possible. How does the HydroSteam technology work in the latest BISSELL CrossWave? Let’s take a closer look below.

Amazon today is launching a pair of new styles for its latest Kindle Paperwhite 5. Adding some extra style to one of the most popular e-readers on the market, the new versions now come in Denim and Agave Green designs that add a pop of flair to the classic black release. Arriving with some launch discounts attached, all of the details are live down below.

Today Marvel fans and LEGO builders alike are getting the first official look at the latest buildable helmet to arrive from the Infinity Saga. Assembling the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy before the squad hits theaters once again for Volume 3 later this year, the new LEGO Star-Lord Helmet stacks up to over 600 pieces and is now available for pre-order.

Marshall today is out with its latest speaker, bridging the gap between its usual room-filling at-home speakers and the more portable, battery-powered offerings. With a perfect name like the Middleton, Marshall’s latest speaker comes backed by the usual retro amp design, a build comprised of recycled plastics, over 20 hours of playback per charge, and the brand’s usual unmatched audio fidelity.

The latest Wrapped Coach AirPods Pro 2 case launched for the fist time at the end of last year and now it’s time to take a hands-on look. The brand’s folio-style iPhone 14 case was a surprising highlight among this year’s massive collection of Apple handset covers we tested out, the higher-end materials and detailed accents especially, so we thought we would see if the matching AirPods Pro 2 case hit the same highs. Head below for a detailed look at the latest Coach AirPods Pro 2 case as part of our Tested with 9to5Toys series.  

Today we are taking a look at the new Spigen silicone lanyard strap case for Apple latest earbuds. The brand’s third-party collection of AirPods Pro 2 case started surfacing shortly after the debut of Apple’s latest pro-grade earphones starting with the Rugged Armor model and Ultra Hybrid Crystal Clear, which were then followed by the MagSafe model and the fabric-wrapped UrbanFit variant. But we are now seeing a more sporty model go up for sale with a detachable lanyard strap in three colorways at under $20. Head below for more details. 

Plugable today is launching its latest USB-C docking station, this time designing it around Apple’s latest iPads, as well as other tablets for that matter. Sporting a build-in adjustable stand, the new hybrid accessory helps turn your iPadOS machine into a more desktop-caliber computer with 8-in-1 USB-C hub and more ergonomic screen position. Best of all, to celebrate the new release, we detail a launch promotion down below.

After seeing elago refresh another one of its classic Apple Watch accessories for the newer Ultra wearable, the company is back today to start the week with another updated release. The new version of elago W3 Stand arrives with an altered build to fit perfectly with Apple Watch Ultra alongside all of the classic Macintosh stylings.

Update: Nintendo and animation studio Illumination have now released a new Super Mario Bros. Plumbing Commercial, to promote the upcoming Super Mario Bros. movie. In some ways a throw back to that old school live action Mario movie, you can check it out below if you haven’t yet and be sure to visit the smbplumbing.com  for a closer look at the fictional plumbing business. 

Update: Nintendo just released a new official movie poster for the upcoming film. Check it out down below.

I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to get even more excited for the new Super Mario Bros. movie set to hit the silver screen this April. The movie is set to tell what appears to be an origin story of sorts for the titular plumbers while giving longtime fans a heavy dose of nostalgia and touching on several of Mario’s adventures over the years – Mario Kart, Odyssey, elements of Mario Galaxy, and much more. Last we heard from the film was the brief snippet that debuted during The Game Awards in December, but a new brief trailer has now been released. Head below for a closer look and more details.

Do you have an upcoming shower to attend or have little ones of your own? We’re rounding up some of the top baby products of 2022; whether you’re a professional at parenting or expecting your first child, we have gear that you will love. Be sure to head below to find all of our top picks and you will want to check out our news guide for the latest here.

Trying to get a PlayStation 5 console over the last year or more has not been fun. Directly from Sony has been the best as of late, but it now sounds as though additional stock is on the way. After the official launch of the DualSense Edge controller and the release of PS VR2 on the horizon now, Sony is looking to reassure prospective PlayStation console buyers with what sounds to be some encouraging news on the PlayStation 5 console shortage front. Head below for more details. 

For the past few months, 9to5Toys has been sharing what to expect from the 100th anniversary Disney collaboration, and today three new sets have leaked that get in on the celebration. Delivering three BrickHeadz character packs, a total of six iconic characters from throughout the Disney vault will be launching later this spring including the likes of WALL-E, Moana, and more.

At long last, BIONICLE is back! Well, sort of. Today the LEGO Group launched its latest gift with purchase, and we’re going hands-on to see just how the modern-day remakes of Tahu and Takua stack up. Available now as a free add-on to select orders over $100, the latest promotional set has been long-awaited by fans of the heroes from Mata Nui. Now to see if the promotion is worth your cash, I’m taking a closer look at BIONICLE and its 2023 comeback.